2D Animation

2D animation is defined as designing of moving images in a two-dimensional environment, for example, creating images using the traditional celluloid animation or by making use of the latest computerized animation software.

2D animation graphics work in such a manner that back-to-back images are arranged into a sequence that triggers a motion by each image showing the next in a regular progression of steps.

In other words, 2D animation motion graphics are made or created on a computer system by making use of 2D bitmap graphics or 2D vector graphics. It also encompasses the automated computerized variations of traditional animation techniques like the tweening, morphing, onion skinning and interpolated rotoscoping.

The 2D animation techniques commonly used for the creation of analog computer animation, Flash animation and also the PowerPoint animation. It is said that the
2D computer graphics technology is actually the basis of generation of digital images which are mostly from two-dimensional models like the 2D geometric models.

The main areas where 2D animation graphics are the applications or the programs which were initially designed using conventional printing and drawing technologies, like typography, cartography, technical drawing, advertising, and so on. In these kinds of programs or applications, the 2D figure or image is not just meant for the representational purpose of a thing belonging to the real world but also it acts as an independent artifact which has added semantic value. This is one of the main reasons why the two-dimensional models are mostly preferred over other options. On addition to this, 2D graphics also provide greater and direct control of the image as compared to the three dimensional computer graphics.

The origin of the 2D animation graphics techniques traces its roots back to 1950s, as based on the vector graphics devices. At that time, 2D animation graphics were largely supplanted by raster-based devices.